Bottle houses, straw houses, tree houses—no matter what you call them, a holiday home always brings a smile to our faces. And, while quite a few people have built their dreams out of pure creativity, material and time remained the limiting factors!
However, with a bit of thinking outside the box, and if you really want to make it happen, you too can create your own beach home. Brick by brick if need be…
That said, there are so many things to do and remember before building a home at the beach, it’s easy to forget or miss necessary steps along the way. Here are some hacks, or tips and ideas, to make the entire process easier.
Add accessible design elements at entryways to reduce sand damage
The sands on the beach are going to damage your property if you let them inside your home. Add accessible design elements like foot wash, showers with a water-resistant and non-slip surface such as rubber surfacing, storage, or a powder room at entryways.
It is best to have a clear passage from the beach to a stop before you enter your house to wash and hang up the items you use at the beach and remove sand from your body.
Consider stilted or raised houses in a high flood risk area
You don’t want your property to be damaged by a flood. If you are building your beach home in a high flood risk area, it is best to design a stilted or raised house. Make sure your home is raised higher than the Base Flood Elevation. Your house will also require deeply secured pile foundations.
It will save your interior and furniture from being damaged even if a flood hits your area.
Choose high-quality and durable materials.
The exterior of your home is going to be exposed to harsh weather and environmental conditions. Make sure that the materials you choose can withstand the salt air, water-reflective sunlight, high humidity and are also anti-corrosive and resistant to mildew and termites.
Consider metal roofing as opposed to asphalt as they are more durable and will be able to resist mildew and termites better. Metal roofs can also lower cooling costs as they can reflect the sun.
When installing windows and doors, go for impact-rated glasses. It will protect your home from hurricanes and storms. It is also in accordance with the 2012 IFC Code.
Also, ensure that you are using non-wood composite materials for the exterior trim and siding, like fiberglass and non-cellular PVC plastic. And choose only high-grade paint.
Have an open floor plan
Since your beach home is most likely going to be your vacation home or retirement home, you want the space to be free. Don’t erect too many walls.
By having an open floor plan, you will be able to make the most out of your space and keep things bright and airy. Allow the sunshine to penetrate every corner of your home. It will also keep mold and mildew at bay.
Create space for entertainment
What is a vacay home without entertainment space? If you are renting out your home, your guests will expect space to entertain themselves. And even if it’s you who are going to stay there, you will want to invite friends, family members, and kids over.
Thus, make sure to consider creating game areas. For instance, a ping-pong table in the garage will keep you or your guests entertained on rainy days or when you need a break from outdoor activities. It is also a great way to utilize space.
You can also add a coffee or cocktail bar, separate from the kitchen. A secondary TV room is also a great idea. And in case you will be allowing families to rent the house or you have kids, you can always build bunk rooms.
Accessibility
Your family might not be having mobility issues right now. But you never know what situation arises in the future. And you aren’t going to stay young forever either.
That’s why it’s crucial to design an accessible home, especially if you are going to move into your beach home after retirement. You will thank yourself for creating one later when you reach old age.
Making your beach home accessible becomes even more critical if you plan to rent it out. Since you never know whether the guests who rent the house might have some disabilities.
Make sure that everyone can access the floors easily. You can consider installing an elevator to make it a possibility.
Wrapping-up!
It’s time to build your own beach home. You’ve kept vacationing at expensive resorts for too long. Now it’s time to fulfill your dream of having a house by the beach. Follow these hacks to build a beach home with your labor and money-saving tips.
Author bio
Karen Lopez is a freelance content writer at marketing digest. With her keen interest in home decor and remodeling, she loves contributing insightful articles about the latest renovation trends in residential and commercial spaces. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Jazz music and watching Netflix.